Who Takes Care of the Elderly When We Leave? Negotiating Care in Transnational Families in the Nordic-Baltic Region and Beyond (TransCareNet)

By examining the perspectives of migrants from the Nordic and Baltic regions, as well as Ukraine, residing in Iceland, Lithuania, and Sweden, we aim to shed light on the diverse challenges they face in caring for aging parents in their home countries.

The project highlights the emotional, practical, and financial strains associated with transnational caregiving, emphasizing the need for greater understanding and support for migrant families navigating these challenges. Despite the extensive research on transnational parenting, transnational elderly care remains relatively overlooked, particularly within the Baltic-Nordic context.

Through a series of research questions and work packages, we aim to uncover how migrant families negotiate caregiving responsibilities, how transnational caregiving impacts caregivers' mental health and well-being, and what policies and support mechanisms are in place (or lacking) to address the needs of transnational caregivers. Ultimately, this project seeks to contribute to a better understanding of transnational caregiving dynamics and inform policy and support initiatives to better assist migrant families in their caregiving roles.